Difference between revisions of "The "shi... de" construction for indicating purpose"

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== When the subject is a person ==
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== When the subject is a thing ==
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
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Thing + 是 + 用来 + Verb Phrase + 的
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Thing + 是 + 用来 + Obj Verb Phrase + 的
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Thing + 是 + 给 + Obj.+Verb Phrase + 的
  
 
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*钱 <em>是</em> <strong>用来</strong> 花<em> 的</em>。<span class="trans">Money is for spending.</span>
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*钱 <em>是</em> <strong>用来</strong> 花<em> 的</em>。<span class="pinyin"> <em>shì</em> <strong>lái</strong> <em>de</em>.</span><span class="trans">Money is for spending.</span>
*这 个 房间 <em>是</em> <strong>用来</strong> <em>的</em>。<span class="trans">This room is for putting all of our ju.</span>
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*这 种 菜 <em>是</em> <strong>用来</strong> 做 汤 <em>的</em>。<span class="pinyin"> <em>shì</em> <strong>lái</strong> <em>de</em>.</span><span class="trans">This kind of vegetable is for making soup.</span>
* <em>是</em> <strong>用来</strong> 做 三明治<em>的</em>。<span class="trans">This kind of bread is for making sandwiches.</span>
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*这 种 车 <em>是</em> <strong>用来</strong> 搬家 <em>的</em>。<span class="pinyin"> <em>shì</em> <strong>lái</strong> <em>de</em>.</span><span class="trans">This kind of car is for moving.</span>
*这 种 面包 <em>是</em> <strong>用来</strong> 做 三明治<em>的</em>。<span class="trans">This kind of bread is for making sandwiches.</span>
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*这 个 房间 <em>是</em> <strong></strong> 客人 住 <em>的</em>。<span class="pinyin"> <em>shì</em> <strong>lái</strong> <em>de</em>.</span><span class="trans">This room is for our guest to live in.</span>
*这 种 面包 <em>是</em> <strong>用来</strong> 做 三明治<em>的</em>。<span class="trans">This kind of bread is for making sandwiches.</span>
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*这些 钱 <em>是</em> <strong></strong>孩子 上 大学 <em>的</em>。<span class="pinyin"> <em>shì</em> <strong>lái</strong> <em>de</em>.</span><span class="trans">These money is for our children going to college.</span>
  
 
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Revision as of 03:05, 21 November 2016

There are many ways to explain why you are doing something or what's the use of things. This article will explain another way to do that, and it just happens to involve "是⋯⋯的." This isn't to say that you can't make these sentences without using "是" and "的" but this can help emphasize why you are doing something or what's the use of thing, giving your sentence a little more kick.

When the subject is a person

Structure

If the subject is a person, there is often a "来" or "去" after the "是", indicating direction like "coming here" or "going there."

Person + 是 + 来 / 去 + Verb Phrase + 的

Examples

  • 我们 都 做 生意 Wǒmen dōu shì lái zuò shēngyi de.We are all here doing business.
  • 上海 旅游 shì lái Shànghǎi lǚyóu de.I came to Shanghai to travel.
  • 他们 都 实习 Tāmen dōu shì lái shíxí de.They all came here to do an internship.
  • 你 真的 帮 我们 吗? Nǐ zhēnde shì lái bāng wǒmen de ma?Are you here to help us? Really?
  • 你 要 记住,你 学习 ,不 Nǐ yào jìzhù, nǐ shì xuéxí de, bùshì wán de.You need to remember, you went (to school) to study, not to hang out with people.

When the subject is a thing

Structure

If the subject is a thing, "用来" is often used. Look at the examples below for some more clarification.

Thing + 是 + 用来 + Obj Verb Phrase + 的

Thing + 是 + 给 + Obj.+Verb Phrase + 的

  • 用来 shì lái de.Money is for spending.
  • 这 种 菜 用来 做 汤 shì lái de.This kind of vegetable is for making soup.
  • 这 种 车 用来 搬家 shì lái de.This kind of car is for moving.
  • 这 个 房间 客人 住 shì lái de.This room is for our guest to live in.
  • 这些 钱 孩子 上 大学 shì lái de.These money is for our children going to college.

See Also